Functional and radiological outcome in patients undergoing three level corpectomy for multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossified posterior longitudinal ligament

Background: To review our experience with patients undergoing 3 level cervical central corpectomy (CC) with un-instrumented fibular autograft fusion. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study, involving 33 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) or ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) who underwent a 3 level CC between 2002 and 2010. The patients were followed up clinically and radiologically. Their functional status was assessed using Nurick's grading system. Parameters such as intraoperative complications, segmental curvature of the cervical spine, graft subsidence, graft fusion and functional outcome of these patients were assessed. Results: There was transient morbidity in 28.6% of patients, with no permanent morbidity or mortality. We obtained follow up in 29 patients (87.9%) with a mean duration of follow up of 65.1 months (range, 12 to 138 months). The mean difference of segmental cervical curvature on follow up was 3.60 degrees and the average graft subsidence was 5.70 mm. We achieved a fusion rate of 90%. There was no instance of graft extrusion in our series. There was a significant improvement in the functional status of our patients (from Nurick grade 3.55 to 2.42; P = 0.0001), with no clinical deterioration in any patient. Conclusions: Three level cervical corpectomy with un-instrumented fusion is a relatively safe surgery in experienced hands, and can achieve excellent clinical and radiological outcomes.